South Asian Culture, Demographics and
Health Status:
Implications for the Health Care System
Wednesday, )
Presented by: Kamala Puram &
Sayali Amarapurkar
6/23/2014
1
Agenda
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South Asian Countries
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Waves of immigration
from South Asia to USA
3rd wave: Enter
through family
reunification act ;
different socio
economic status
Post 3rd wave: Highly
skilled technical jobs;
non-immigrant visas
(H1, L1, B1)
2nd wave: The Immigration
& Nationality Act – highly
Skilled work force
1st wave: Blue
collar, uneducated
workers
1907
1965
1975
Late 1990’s
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Minnesota South Asians
45,000
40,000
42,000 + in total
38,097
35,000
30,000
75% are 1st generation immigrants
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
858
284
Asian Indian Bangladeshi Bhutanese
6/23/2014
2,840
Pakistani
944
1,438
Sri Lankan
Nepalese
Source: 2010 Census Data Page 5
South Asians - Observations
• Model Minority Myth
• Lack of disaggregated data
• South Asian immigrant economic status
varies widely
• South Asians life style assimilation
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SEWA-AIFW
SAHAT Survey Data Categories
SAHAT SURVEY FOCUS
Self-Identified South Asians
living in Minnesota
Health
Status
Lifestyle
Healthcare
Access
Demographics
Note: No personal data
was collected
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Survey Participant Distribution
Population Distribution
MN South Asians vs. Survey Participants
86% 88%
N = 1085
2% 0.2%
India
1%
Bangladesh
1%
Bhutan
6%
2%
2%
Pakistan
MN South Asians
1%
Sri Lanka
3%
1%
Nepal
5%
Trinidad &
Guyana
Survey Participants
The participant distribution is similar to the population distribution
of South Asians in Minnesota.
(Source: http://mn.gov/capm/pdf/StateoftheAsianPacificMinnesotans.pdf)
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
6/23/2014
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Survey Participants Distribution
Education Level
MN South Asians vs. Survey Participants
48%
N = 1070
55%
35% 32%
4%
3%
< HS
3%
HS
6%
10%
4%
Assoc. Degree
MN South Asians
Bachelors
Graduate
Degree
Survey Participants
The distribution of the survey participants by education level is similar
to the MN South Asian Indian population.
(Source: http://mn.gov/capm/pdf/StateoftheAsianPacificMinnesotans.pdf)
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
6/23/2014
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Survey Participant Distribution
N= 864
6/23/2014
Over 17,500 Asian Indians live in Hennepin county and 4,573 in Ramsey county,
and 4,416 in Dakota county.
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
(Source: http://mn.gov/capm/pdf/StateoftheAsianPacificMinnesotans.pdf)
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Key Findings
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Health Issues by Age Group
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
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Confidential
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BMI based on Western / WHO Standards
for South Asians
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
vs. 37% (MN’s)
vs.26% (MN’s)
BMI Western Standards:
25 – 29.9 = Overweight
30
= Obese
WHO Stds for South Asians:
23-25
= Overweight
> 25
= Obese
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Confidential
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Preventive Care Behavior
vs. 78% (MN’s)
vs. 74% (MN’s)
vs. 81% (MN’s)
vs. 40% (MN’s)
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
6/23/2014
Confidential
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Health Screening
vs. 76% (MN’s)
vs. 77% (MN’s)
vs. 75% (MN’s)
vs. 30% (MN’s)
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
6/23/2014
Confidential
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Other Relevant Findings
89% - had Health Insurance
13% used home remedies
Source for medical info: 66% friends, 62% doctor, 58%
internet search
Barrier to seeking help
- 18% inability to navigate the system
South Asian Culture –
18% Diet recommendations not culturally specific ;
19% Do not understand the SA Culture
Source: SEWA-AIFW Project SAHAT
6/23/2014
Confidential
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South Asian Culture
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Confidential
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Background
18 Languages
Hindi and Urdu
Hindi don’t eat beef; Muslims don’t eat pork
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WEST Vs. EAST
Collectivism
Vs. Family & Societal
Approval
Vs.
Vs.
non
Vs.
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Health Care in India
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Cultural Norms
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Genetic Disposition
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Alternative Medicines
• Ayurveda
• Homeopathy
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Questions?
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